Conducting the Reference Interview, 2nd ed.
Posted by: Jessica Moyer
I’ve finally gotten my hands on a copy of the new edition of Conducting the Reference Interview that I mentioned previously was due out this summer, and it’s even better that I hoped. The full and formal review will be in Booklist later this fall, but in the meantime, I’m too excited about this to wait.
Two highlights: First, everything in this is based on research. Often many years worth of research, including hundreds of library visits, and is thoroughly connected to important theories in LIS and human communication. Second, not only is this edition thoroughly updated, much new material has been added on virtual reference. New third author, Marie Radford is largely responsible for it, from the inclusion of virtual reference in the introductory chapters and skills, to an entirely new chapter devoted to virtual reference.
To use Library Journal’s new review style: The Verdict: I will definitely be using this as a textbook in my reference courses and using the section on readers’ advisory interviews in my readers’ advisory courses, as well as highly recommending it to anyone else teaching reference.
PS – If you are teaching this fall and still have time to add or change textbooks, then I highly recommend using Conducting the Reference Interview.
